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H 3669

James Solomon sympathy

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Todd Rutherford

Massachusetts bill requires a human safety operator present in AVs for interstate, passenger, or goods transport, who can monitor and intervene, while meeting federal standards.

Introduced and adopted
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 3669

Summary: H 3669 – An Act relative to the safety of autonomous vehicles

Overview

H 3669, introduced February 27, 2025 by Representative Jessica Ann Giannino, is a Massachusetts bill intended to regulate the operation of autonomous vehicles (AVs) within the state. The core proposal adds a new requirement tied to the presence of a human safety operator in AVs engaged in certain types of transportation, while affirming adherence to federal vehicle standards. The bill is currently in the legislative process, with a reporting-date extension to March 18, 2026.

Key status details:
- Introduced: February 27, 2025
- Referred to Committee: Transportation
- Related action: Senate concurred (date listed February 27, 2025)
- Reporting date extended: March 18, 2026
- Related bill: HD 1848 (replaces)

What the bill would do (key provisions)

  • Amends Chapter 90 of the General Laws by adding a new Section 19M, immediately after Section 19L.

  • Core requirement:

    • An autonomous vehicle registered in Massachusetts must continue to meet federal standards and regulations for a motor vehicle.

  • Human safety operator requirement:

    • The autonomous vehicle shall not be engaged in the transport of interstate commerce or the transporting of passengers, or the transporting of goods unless a human safety operator is physically present in the vehicle.
    • The human safety operator must have the ability to monitor the vehicle’s performance and intervene if necessary, including operating or shutting off the vehicle.
    • The human safety operator must meet all state and federal qualifications for automated and non-automated vehicles.

Who would be affected

  • Autonomous vehicle operators and fleets operating in Massachusetts, particularly those engaged in interstate commerce, passenger transport, or goods transport.
  • AV manufacturers and developers selling or deploying AVs in Massachusetts, as they would need to ensure compliance with the operator-presence requirement.
  • Municipalities and regulators overseeing road safety and autonomous vehicle deployments.
  • Insurers and service providers involved in AV operations, given the new safety-operator obligations.

Practical and policy impact

  • Safety emphasis: The bill places emphasis on human oversight, requiring a physically present operator who can monitor and intervene, which may slow deployment of fully driverless AVs in MA for certain operations.
  • Federal alignment: By mandating adherence to federal standards, the bill seeks to maintain consistency with national vehicle-safety regulations while adding state-level oversight through operator presence.
  • Operational scope: The requirement applies to AVs engaged in interstate commerce or in transporting passengers or goods, potentially limiting intrastate-only use unless otherwise specified.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • 2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation; Senate concurrence recorded on the same date.
  • 2025-06 to 2025-09: Hearings scheduled and additional actions noted (hearings rescheduled, etc.).
  • 2025-09-18: Legislative action indicates a reporting date extension to Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
  • 2025-? (ongoing): HD 1848 is noted as related and “replaces” the current measure, indicating possible consolidation or alternative drafting.

Additional notes

  • The bill text specifies insertion of Section 19M into Chapter 90 and outlines the precise duty to maintain federal compliance while requiring a human safety operator for certain AV operations.
  • No explicit effective date is stated in the excerpt provided; enactment would follow standard legislative process and eventual signature into law.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to related proposals (HD 1848) or track potential fiscal and regulatory implications as more committee material becomes available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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